I thought today would be another great day to share some more vintage photos of the lodge. Friends of the Smokies shared these wonderful photos by Herbert Webster and I just add to pass them along. Check out the Univeristy of Tennessee's Digital Library.

"LeConte Lodge." Herbert M. Webster

We have a few old photos hanging around the lodge. The kitchen photograph was one that is hanging in our dining room. Someone asked the order the buildings were built. I know that the first lodge was Lodge #1 and it was built in the 30s. I am sure there are a lot of folks who have done research and will be happy to add their knowledge to the comments. I know the office was built in the 70s. Any other information would be great. As I sit and type this post, it is extremely windy and rainy. It is a great day to study the history of the lodge. The high yesterday was 54º with a low of 41º. Chris and I will be heading down the mountain this evening. We have family to visit. Nathan will be taking over for a bit. I am sure he is saving some great tales to tell. Have a great weekend and happy hiking.

James workman

4/25/2014 03:39:53 am

Thanks for the history, always love reading about it when we come up! really enjoyed our weekend in the Blizzard lol 4 weeks ago was a challenge going down alum!

Janet

4/25/2014 03:51:46 am

I love these old photos! It sure looks bare up there compared to now. The buildings stand out like a sore thumb! Now they are nestled in the way they should be, like the mountain has accepted them and made them it's own. It's amazing how nature heals and takes back. Those mountains are a prime example of that!!! Thanks again for sharing the old photos.... they are awesome!

Debi

4/25/2014 05:27:37 am

Love those old pictures! Have a good weekend off.

Clayton Webster

4/25/2014 07:38:12 am

My daddy, Herbert Webster, first climbed Mt. LeConte July 4, 1925. He made 27 trips to LeConte, with the last being in 1977. So he saw the entire progression of the cabins and buildings on the mountain. My first trip to LeConte cost $7 to spend the night. There was a stable and a corral on top as many people rode horses up there back then. The stable was located back behind where the office is now.

Karla

4/26/2014 02:36:17 am

Mr. Webster, I was wondering if you remember the trail that you took to LeConte back then and since people rode horses up, did hikers have to share the trail?

Clayton Webster

4/26/2014 02:52:15 pm

Karla:
Many of the riders came up Rainbow Falls, but some came up Trillium Gap. I can remember when the Rainbow Falls Trail was really torn up from the horses. It was so open around the cabins because the horses grazed the whole area. There was a horse gate at the top of Alum Cave Trail so no horse would wander down that way and not be able to turn back.
Hikers and riders did have to share the trail.

John Alexander

4/26/2014 04:11:41 am

Clayton Webster, read the announcement of donation of your father's images a few weeks ago. Recognized the name immediately. Sheila and I just returned to our East TN roots a couple of years ago. I'm Manager of the Sevier County Public Library Kodak Branch. Your father was a great influence not only on me but other kids. Would love to talk with you more about this aspect of your father's life.

John

4/25/2014 08:07:12 am

I put the comment on the wrong page about the poor woman with the posts and pans. Age, it's a beautiful thing.

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LeConte Lodge

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